Lawyer says father will use psychiatric defense

A Syracuse man accused of nearly beating his infant daughter to death in January is likely to have a psychiatric defense presented on his behalf, his defense lawyer revealed in court today.

Christopher L. Shelley, 18, of 348 Gertrude St., is charged with first-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child in connection with a Jan. 30 attack on his 5-week-old daughter, Christiona. He's accused of punching the baby when she would not stop crying.

Defense lawyer Bonnie Levy told Onondaga County Judge William Walsh she was seeking court approval to hire two experts - a forensic pathologist from Suffolk County and a neuropsychologist from Rochester - to assist her in the defense.

Levy said the case is expected to focus on the medical condition of the victim and the psychological condition of her client. Walsh adjourned the case to Wednesday to report back on the defense request.